Study finds $6B of Greater Cleveland construction Activity Creating Job Opportunities
Study conducted by: Greater Cleveland Partnership
Cleveland—A study commissioned by a public-private partnership working to increase participation by diverse and City of Cleveland residents in Greater Cleveland construction projects has found significant long-term job opportunities based on $6.2 billion in planned projects. However, there is also a workforce gap that is creating challenges to fill those jobs.
The study’s key findings include:
Capital spending for major projects during 2014 and 2015 are projected to be over $6.2 billion for a five-county area. Each of these projects in Cuyahoga, Summit Lorain, Medina and Lake counties have an estimated construction value of $1 million or more.
Given the Memorandum of Understanding, that produced a community benefits agreement, there is a desire by the public-private collaboration to increase local workers participation, and there is an opportunity to increase training for City of Cleveland residents where representation in the ranks of the skilled trades is low.
Skilled labor for major projects is aging and younger workers are needed to replace them at the rate they will retire. With the 3- 5 year training process (from pre-apprenticeship to journeyman), continued action is needed to ensure that the training pipeline for replacement workers is functioning effectively.